Altitude and Acclimatization in Himalayas

Our itineraries are suspiciously planned to make
you sure there is a steady climb in height over a number of days to permit for
the necessary time for your body to acclimatize

Our itineraries are suspiciously planned to make
you sure there is a steady climb in height over a number of days to permit for
the necessary time for your body to acclimatize to high altitude. Most people
can hike to 2,500m without a problem however it is impossible to decide who
might be more at risk to altitude sickness at higher altitudes. No single
factor such as age, sex or fitness will affect your likelihood of being
affected.

Our itineraries are suspiciously planned to make
you sure there is a steady climb in height over a number of days to permit for
the necessary time for your body to acclimatize to high altitude. Most people
can hike to 2,500m without a problem however it is impossible to decide who
might be more at risk to altitude sickness at higher altitudes. No single
factor such as age, sex or fitness will affect your likelihood of being
affected.

The Cause of Altitude Sickness

As
the elevation increases the partial pressure of oxygen is reduced, such as
3,600 there is about 40% less oxygen than at sea level. The body must normalize
to having less oxygen.

Acclimatization

Acclimatization is the process of the times
in which the human body can adapt to the decrease of oxygen at higher altitude.
Hiking too high in a short time can results altitude sickness. Several
mechanisms of body adjust to less oxygen, the main ones being an increasing
rate and depth of breathing followed by the slower process of producing more
red blood cells.

Mild Acute Mountain Sickness

At mild acute mountain sickness (AMS), the
spectrum of altitude sickness starts. During the acclimatization process many
people will experience mild AMS. The symptoms of mild AMS include:

Symptoms are likely to be worse at night when
your breathing rate decreases. As long as symptoms are mild and only an irritation
to your incline can continue at a reasonable rate. It is very important that
you talk any symptoms of illness to the Leader of your trip.

Moderate AMS

The best test for reasonable AMS is get the
person to walk in a straight line heel to toe, if they are unable to do this
then an immediate descent is required. Often only a small decrease in altitude
of 300m will relieve the symptoms.

Severe AMS

Severe AMS has two serious conditions one
being high altitude intellectual edema and the other high altitude pulmonary edema.
These should not occur if a sensible
acclimatization schedule has
been adhered to and usually happens due to people going too high too fast. In
both cases the lack of oxygen results in leakage of fluid through the capillary
walls into either the lungs or the brain.

Symptoms of High Altitude Pulmonary
Edema (HAPE):

· Shortness
of breath at rest
· Tightness
in the chest, and a persistent cough bringing up white, watery, or frothy fluid
· Fatigue
and weakness
· Confusion,
and irrational behavior

Instant
descent is necessary for someone with HACE and/or HAPE. There is also
medication that may be used for treatment.

Guidelines for the prevention of AMS

The guidelines
state that when you get above 3,000 meters, you should increase your elevation by
approx. 300 meters per day, and for every 900 meters of elevation increased
take a rest day.

· If you have symptoms of moderate AMS
do not go higher until symptoms decrease.
· If symptoms increase, descend
immediately!
· Remember that people acclimatize at
different rates.
· Make sure you are properly hydrated by
drinking at least four liters per day. Urine should be copious and clear to
pale yellow
· Do not over exercise yourself at
altitude